Who wants the Ferrari Pista?

No, Ferrari is not selling pistachios.

Yes, you read that right. One of the meanest Ferraris from its stable, the Pista is all set to make its debut this year. The track-focused 488 variant will get an overhaul and will be called Pista, which incidentally is the Indian word for pistachios.

The pictures were shared on an American forum website called 'Ferrari Chat', which shows the car's mean aerodynamic changes which includes a large splitter at the front, and a bigger rear diffuser, and the name as well - Ferrari Pista.

Ferrari has not yet gone official with the car yet, or the name. The only respite we have here is in the form of an official nod to point towards the upcoming car apart from footage released last week which showed the 458 successor on the track at Ferrari's Maranello base.

The Ferrari Pista is all set to become the most hardcore, track-focused road car Ferrari has ever produced. The Pista gets a 709bhp engine derived from the 488 Challenge racecar, and will also feature newly revised bodywork working towards maximising downforce and reduce drag.

We expect the Pista's engine spec to be similar to the mid-mounted turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 in the standard 488, but with additional boosting and increased turbo pressure with internal modifications so as to produce its anticipated 709bhp with increased torque as compared to the standard 488 figure of 760Nm.

Also known as the 488 GTO, the mean track-road car will get a dash of carbon fibre parts for the body and the interior. The car will get the standard carbon-fibre tub for the occupants, and the dashboard. On the outside, the bonnet, bumpers and a rear spoiler will get the carbon fibre treatment.

There is more weight-reduction. Ferrari will be using 20-inch wheels made from carbon-fibre, which are 40 per cent lighter than the standard 488 rims.

The transmission will be the previously known seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, but we expect the tech boffins at Ferrari to give the Pista its own unique settings alongside Slide Slip Control management which will allow for greater yaw angles before fully intervening.

Ferrari is also yet to confirm whether the name Pista is going to stick. Previously rumoured to be called GTO, and then 'New V8 Sport Special Series' in the leaked slides. If one remembers correctly, the last proper GTO, or should we say, the only two GTOs were the 250 and the 288. There was a 599 GTO, a road legal version of the 599XX, which led many to claim it was not worthy of a GTO badge.

Prices are unknown yet and tipped to be significantly more than the current 488 GTB. But seriously, do we care?

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